Buffalo Bills Bench Player for Pulling ‘Happy New Year’ Touchdown Celebration Stunt
- Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:11am by
Christopher Santarelli
- Print »
- Email »
(AP) Buffalo Bills receiver Stevie Johnson isn’t the first person to get a little carried away ringing in the new year.
He just picked the wrong place for his celebration.
Bills coach Chan Gailey benched Johnson for drawing an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Sunday when he celebrated a touchdown catch by lifting his jersey to reveal an undershirt that said, “Happy New Year!” The Bills added another TD before New England scored the next 49 points to win 49-21.
“The coach told me I was out of the game. I have to respect his decision,” said Johnson, who had four catches for 40 yards to become the first Bills receiver with consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. “I can’t complain about it or whine or pout. He made his decision and I am going with it. … I have to take that, and I will.”
Undershirt decoration has become something of a hobby for Johnson, who wore one against Cincinnati last season that said, “Why So Serious?” The NFL fined him $5,000, but he was not penalized; that’s why Johnson said he thought he could get away with it this time.
“I didn’t know it was going to draw a penalty,” he told reporters.
Johnson was also fined $10,000 for pretending to shoot off a rifle against the Patriots last year, mocking the costumed Minutemen who celebrate a New England score. And he drew an excessive celebration penalty against the Jets this season when he pretended to shoot himself in the legs – mimicking New York receiver Plaxico Burress – then imitated an airplane crashing into the turf.
After that one, Gailey warned the team that anyone who drew a demonstration penalty would be benched.
“If I say that, I’m going to do it,” Gailey said. “So he was out.”
Gailey said he didn’t know why Johnson was penalized this time and not against the Bengals last year.
But it didn’t matter, because he had been clear with his warning.
“I got tired of it the first time it happened,” Gailey said. “But you hope people learn from situations. There isn‘t anybody who hasn’t made mistakes, but you’ve got to learn from your mistakes. And everybody falls in that category – me too.
“He is not a bad guy; he’s not. He’s a good guy, but he uses some bad judgment at times and if you do that enough and it hurts the team, you’ve got to do something.”
The histrionics add to an already uncertain future for the Bills (6-10) and their No. 1 receiver, who can became a free agent now that their season is over. Johnson said he would prefer to re-sign with Buffalo, but negotiations over a new deal broke down in November when he rejected the team’s latest offer.
“I come here to work just like everybody else in this locker room,” he said. “I know the guys around here put in a lot of work to come out here and go up by 21 points on the New England Patriots. … To end the season like this, it hurts, and it was something today that I feel I made a mistake for my teammates.”
Without Johnson or tight end Scott Chandler, who left in the first half with a knee injury, the Bills blew a 21-0 lead and lost for the eighth in their final nine games. And the Patriots, who were booed off the field after one quarter, coasted into the playoffs with the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
Popular Stories
MSNBC Host Snaps in Heated Segment: ‘What in the World Is Riskier Than Being a Poor Person in America?’ 695 Comments
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 666 Comments
‘Jumah at the DNC’ Speaker: ‘Muslims Visited America Prior to Columbus’ & ‘It Was a Muslim’ Who Guided Him to the ‘New World’ 525 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 368 Comments
Obama: RNC Like Watching ‘Black-and-White TV’ Because Romney ‘Did Not Offer a Single New Idea’ 364 Comments
Faith
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 242 Comments- Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More
- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 254 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order Read More- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 147 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 300 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 242 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (58)
KILROY57
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 11:42amAll the players know that type of activity is considered ‘excessive celebration’ and will draw the penalty, regardless of how fun, cute or OK is may be. The coach had warned all the players they would be benched; this was not this players first offense. He might as well have turned towards his bench, given the finger to his fellow players and said “you guys deal with this 15 yards on the kickoff” , then looked right at the fans and said “this is about me, not you, and by the way, thanks for wasting your hard earned money on being here suckers!”. These selfish pukes ruin it for everbody else and make the real pros look bad. Ask the linemen, who are in the trenches now having to defend the 15 yards of turf how cute they think it was. Maybe they won’t renew his contract and no other team will pick him up because of his arrogant history of non-compliance, but unfortunately, these types usually make out.
Report Post »Jackie Rogers, Jr.
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 12:03pmI remember before the NFL/AFL merger, football was still a serious game played by serious men. One of the biggest mouths of those days was Fred “ The Hammer” Williamson. A defensive back for the KC Chiefs. Before Super Bowl I, in which the Chiefs played the Packers, Williamson bragged that he would knock out of the game Packers’ receivers that he covered. Ironically, (or justifiably), in the fourth quarter, Williamson took an , “accidental”, knee to the helmet and had to leave the game.
Report Post »I think in later years the NFL instituted rules such as those prohibiting excessive celebration, to end the reputation of it being a league where players self-policed.
JRook
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 12:12pmJust so I understand. Excessive hype by networks, promoters and player PR staff. Excessive advertising by companies seeking to benefit from the players talent and notoriety. And this guy writes Happy New Year on his shirt and that’s considered excessive celebration. This was a lot more rational and entertaining when it was just a game and featured the players and not all the parasites that benefit from athletes.
Report Post »Therightsofbilly
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 2:51pmYes Rook,
And all made possible by the dumbing down and debasing of the fan base, and the athletes. (Most, but not all)
Where shall we lay the blame for that?
Hmmmmm………let’s see now………Oh, I know……..
Report Post »Scottie1552
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 11:12amLike so much today, the football league is now going too far! I’m so tired of “politically correct” I could scream. It is spoiling the enjoyment we used to get from watching a football game. this and the cost of tickets may be the downfall of the NFL!
Report Post »JLGunner
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 11:16amI don’t want to watch ten minute celebrations for scoring. These guys have proven time and time again that if you didn‘t put a stop to over celebrating it would grow into a monster you couldn’t control.
Report Post »black9897
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 11:21amI agree! lets put the fun back into it by allowing them to celibate!! I‘ts a bunch of BS they can’t. and Jlgunner….come on…it was fun to watch, if you don’t want to watch them have fun and entertain then turn it off! But I want it back!!
Report Post »KILROY57
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 11:39amAll the players know that type of activity is considered ‘excessive celebration’ and will draw the penalty, regardless of how fun, cute or OK is may be. The coach had warned all the players they would be benched; this was not this players first offense. He might as well have turned towards his bench, given the finger to his fellow players and said “you guys deal with this 15 yards on the kickoff” , then looked right at the fans and said “this is about me, not you, and by the way, thanks for wasting you hard earned money on being here suckers!”. These selfish pukes ruin it for everbody else and make the real pros look bad. Ask the linemen, who are in the trenches now having to defend the 15 yards of turf how cute they think it was. Maybe they won’t renew his contract and no other team will pick him up because of his arrogant history of non-compliance, but unfortunately, these types usually make out.
Report Post »ambrosia
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 11:05amIf this was a Play Off game….would Coach Gailey benched him ?
That’s the real question.
His answer better be yes, otherwise his word and action is meaningless.
In the end, it’s just a game
but like war, one approaches it with every intent of winning.
He could have left Johnson in this last game, told him on the sideline
that he’s expected to pull off a win, now, more than ever,
and then taken him to the Whooping Woodshed after the “WIN”
and cuffed him big time.
Tongue lashing principles make for fine copy but losing silly battles don’t win wars.
Report Post »DeVain
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 11:02amThat is so stupid.
Let them have some personality. Wishing Happy New Year isn’t anything wrong.
Report Post »LukeAppling
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 10:58amSo many of the spoiled athletes, just like the OWS protesters, are so lacking in self-confidence they must do stunts like this which penalize their team just to attract attention. They make millions and are pathetic in their pleas.
Report Post »RRFlyer
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 10:43amYou guys who “claim” you no longer watch sports or turned the game off. You can get satisfaction in knowing that really hurts the NFL. they will probably be out of business next year because of you. Aren’t you ashamed?
Report Post »4xeverything
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 10:16amDoes anyone remember when football was fun? I used to love watching my Bengals every Sunday. The Icky Shuffle was a highlight everyone here looked forward to; as were the celebrations done by all teams.
What happened? Did someone get their itty bitty feewings hurt? I mean seriously, they can’t celebrate an awesome play, they can’t tackle anymore, they even moved the kick off line so no one would get hurt!
If I wanted to watch old women knitting, I’d turn on PBS. I want to watch football! You know, the sport that is supposedly played by grown men who can take the punishment of a hard tackle, or walk away from the sport if it’s too tough for them.
The only time I’ve seen this many “unsportsman like conduct” calls made against any team in the NFL was against the Raiders in the 80s and 90s. Now it seems that no matter what game you watch, they can’t give out enough of them. Almost seems like the NFL’s way of punishing the players for the lockout.
Report Post »applehill
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 10:12amThis is the reason I don’t watch football. There is no fun in it anymore. Remember the Super Bowl Shuffle. They could never do that anymore. There is so much money involved with the game now. The players can’t have fun anymore. The owners can’t afford to allow the game to be fun. It‘s all business and for that reason players are paid so high and they only play as good as they’re paid.
Report Post »JLGunner
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 11:14amIt‘s not that they can’t have fun. As proven by the past, these players will continue to “one up” each other. When will it end? The superbowl shuffle was idiotic just as most of the celebrations. If it wouldn‘t get outa hand there wouldn’t be a problem. But here come the egos and young ghetto mentality.
Report Post »qzak491
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 12:07pmIf I’m not mistaken the referees put up their hands at every touchdown, when are they going to be made to stop that, heaven forbid they should celebrate, the stadium may collapse.
Report Post »babylonvi
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 9:29amSending a Happy New Year message to the fans is HARDLY an ‘unsportman like conduct’. No, the real crime was putting ANY message or logo on the uniform for which a heft fee was not paid to the NFL corporate office.
Report Post »old white guy
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 10:09amanother wtf moment. Happy New Year.
Report Post »db321
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 10:41amYea – it would have been OK to have on his T-Shirt – “Occupy Wall Street”, Down with Jews, Obama for President. Good Rule!
Report Post »Reload
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 8:35amJesus Christ dude. Ease up. I’m a lifelong Bills fan too but I put things into their proper perspective.
IT”S A GAME!!!! GROWN ASS MEN GETTING PAID MILLIONS TO PLAY A CHILDS GAME!!!!
Don’t get me wrong, I love watching football, but in the end, it doesn’t affect my day to day life in the slightest.
Sounds like you might need a bit of perspective.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!
Report Post »Southernsoul
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 8:32amThey are ruining football with its ‘wusification’. Happy New Year? OMG, next it will be Happy Birthday. This madness has got to stop.
Report Post »jsjdjn
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 8:03amOnly in sports you get in trouble for being positive!
Report Post »JaketheDog
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 8:10amWhat if every time we did our job, you know just doing your job, we celebrated like the idiots in the NFL after a touchdown or the NBA after a facial dunk?
Report Post »Marengo Ohio Patriot
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 8:19amhis shirt should have read “happy ronahunnaquanzmas”
Report Post »no problems then.
Delta D-5-3
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 8:30amHa Ha, good!! He got what he deserved. And then New England crushed them by scoring 49 points after the lowly Bills scored there last TD!! GOOD. The Patriots made a statement after his stupid “message”, ON THE FIELD!!!!
Report Post »Andy
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 7:37amFor heavens sake!, it’s only a game and some of you act like the guy just committed a grave sin. that‘s why I don’t watch sports anymore, they got idiotic rules, it’s a game folks; your there to have fun if happen to be participating or watching.
Report Post »Taxpayer550
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 8:06amYeah Andy, it’s a game, and a game played by professionals. The last time I checked, there was a difference between professionals and kids. There isn’t anything extraordinary about taunting and dancing around after scoring a touchdown or basket. All that it is, is a display of immaturity from a mind and psyche that hasn’t fully developed into a mature adult. The reason for what we’re seeing, especially in the NFL and NBA, is the product of a fragmented and dysfunctional culture. The root cause for it is that many of these athletes were raised by parents and/or environments that foster irresponsible behavior and lack of self-control. And these behavioral displays of immaturity will continue on in perpetuity until the culture from which they emanate gets a clue. If I want to see dancing and taunting on the field or court, I can go to a high school game or the local park and pay a lot less!
Report Post »TheBMT
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 10:30amMy dad and I were pretty pissed when he got the penalty. Turned the game off after that. Really glad the coach had the conviction to bench him and not pander to try to win the game. Its Johnson’s own fault and I am glad he recognizes it was his too.
Report Post »neozenov
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 7:16amThe fine is not about punishing a guy having fun. It is about not following the rules. Maybe silly rules, but the rules are in place, and everyone in the NFL knows about those rules. He is just showing off his, “thug” mentality. Thinking he is better than the rules, and can get away with it. He doesn’t care about the money. He is over-paid anyway. I think it is poetic justice that the Bills got smacked after he pulled his stunt. He should have been more concerned with the teams total performance, than his own glory. It’s just like the OWS, people. Looking for the money shot, no substance. The guy is a jerk.
Report Post »THXll38
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 7:13amThat got to be one of the lamest and most ridiculous reasons to ever get benched. What the hell is wrong with this world?
Report Post »demint.disciple
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 8:19amthere are idiots like you in it..
Report Post »Choctaw25
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 7:04amWhere is Occupy National Football League when you need them?
Report Post »It is ONLY a Sunday entertainment venture, put on by extremely well overpaid men.
We should watch, We should giggle, then We should get on with our lives.
M24
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 6:38amWhat a Joke What about the Great Days Of Football , Vikings, Steelers ,Rams,Cowboys , Old School Football ,When They Went out To Win What ever it Took The New NFL SUCKS!!!!
Report Post »demint.disciple
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 8:23amYes Agreed, back in those days it was an honor to play in the freezing cold and wet grounds to win like men then celebrate that they did a great job in the locker room..
Report Post »You see all those great NFL moments in time on ESPN, some of the action is shown in slow motion.
Funny you never did see any one of those guys pick up their **** in a display of “LOOK AT ME ”.. pathetic today..
GETLIFE
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 5:13am“Happy New Year”– outrageously unsportsmanlike! Definitely requires more than the penalty. What an inspiring man, that Gailey! REEAL smart way to deal with the problem. But I‘m sure he’s gained a lot of respect for not going back on his TOUGH LOVE MAN-COACH warning. Thank God he is not a commander in the Army.
Report Post »Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 4:04amI Dunno,Seems harmless enough ,BUT he needs to listen to the coach.He is the boss.
Report Post »campt1
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 4:00amMore political correctness crap!
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 2:15amBarry Sanders, one of the greatest running backs of all time, never EVER spiked the ball, even back to high school or college days. He was taught, after you make a touchdown, hand the ball to the referee. That is what he did, every single time.
Report Post »john koenig
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 2:25amNFL= No Fun League.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 2:44amNot really the no fun league, but I for one, am sick of seeing defensive players showboating after a simple tackle, or a reciever running out into the open after a 2 yard catch and acting like he just did the greatest thing in the world. They all act like they just won the super bowl. Many of these celebrations are even when their team is getting the snot beat out of them. It’s fine when a player makes a great catch or game winning TD to show emotion and celebrate, but these guys are getting too much of “What can I do to get on Sportscenter?”. Emmitt Smith was one of the biggest glory hog, thus, players can’t remove their helmets while on the field. What I can’t stand is players like this guy that costs his team 15 yards, and still can’t see why he was hit with a penalty. The rules are outlined and enforced. No pre-celebrations, no props. This guy knew what he was doing and nothing in that act had “TEAM” on it.
Report Post »A Conservatarian
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 4:09amBear Bryant – When you get in the endzone, act like you’ve been there before.
Report Post »Belovedsword
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 11:16amI agree. Those who are saying it‘s grown men playing a child’s game give the children a bad rap. Our children abd all their teammates have been taught since they were small that you don’t whine or throw your bat or throw your hands up in the air in disgust/disbelief when you don’t
Report Post »perform well or disagree with the officials; and, similarly, you don’t act cocky or arrogant or showboat when things go well. A joyful celebration is embraced when it is earned and when it is respectful….anything else is unsportsman-like and is not tolerate by their father/coach (not at therec level, not at the youth competitive level, and not at the high school level.
I haven’t see this incident, but from reading the article it seems to be another self-serving moment by a player with a history of it. As a stand-alone act, it MAY make me smile…but given the state of professional football, i’m just tired of it…
TXPilot
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:38amI remember the “good old days”, back before political correctness ruined this country. If an athlete excelled in his sport, he could celebrate in the end zone, give everyone “high-fives” and even maybe dance and do the worm…..and everyone thought that was just fine.
At the rate we are going, one day soon, a football game will consist of nothing more than watching players mill around on the field in a non-threatening manner for a few hours, before everyone gets a trophy, collects their giant checks and go home…while the rest of us sit there having a “wtf” moment, wondering why we paid so much money to go and see it.
Report Post »MeteoricLimbo
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:47amNo kidding TX, What if you up and did the pee-pee dance every time you had a landing you walked away from. Well i am a novice flyer so I have a good excuse for my pee pee dances!
Report Post »rambosharley
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 7:21amThat’s funny…I needed that this am!
Report Post »sillyfreshness
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:38amTelling people Happy New Year is so awful. I’m sure it shocked the world!
Report Post »jb.kibs
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 2:53amYeah it’s SOOOOO unsportsman like… just like saying “Good Game”… man… what a poor sport… he should just be fired. in fact the whole team should be booted from the league for it… pathetic… ;)
Report Post »MeteoricLimbo
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:29amI must be getting old, I remember when they just played ball……
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:28amI bet if he had been wearing an “I love Obama” t-shirt under that uniform, he would have been hailed as a hero and inspiration to us all.
Report Post »